Social justice courses should be core requirement (Opinion, Page A4) The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916
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WOMEN’S AND GENDER STUDIES
Funding puts certain courses in question 2 classes already canceled; program could cut others or move online due to budget squeeze CHRIS LUSK Editor in Chief
Students could have fewer Women’s and Gender Studies course options in the fall due to a budget shortfall, program officials say. The Women’s and Gender Studies program’s two primary funding
resources are dwindling, with one that already has decreased more than 50 percent in two years and the other being eliminated, said Jill Irvine, program director. “We are experiencing a severe budget squeeze, and there’s really no way for us to continue,” Irvine said.
Two classes already have been cut from the upcoming fall schedule, and officials are considering five other courses for elimination in spring 2013, Irvine said. These problems are leaving students trying to enroll for the fall semester on shaky ground, said Jordan Ward, multidisciplinary studies junior.
AT A GLANCE Women’s and Gender Studies OU’s Women’s and Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary program that combines classes to teach students about society’s gender roles and relations across cultures and history. The program combines courses to the intersection of
gender and music, art, war, political activism, religion, communication, family life and popular culture. OU offers a major and minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. The program also offers a graduate certificate. Source: wgs.ou.edu
SEE FUNDING PAGE A5
COMMENCEMENT
NATURE
Grads to hear from Ivy leader Brown University president to speak at commencement SAM HIGGINS Campus Reporter
of individual rights that should be protected by the Constitution, Boren said. “To say [strip searches] can be allowed without any probable cause whatsoever … that you didn’t make a complete stop at a stop sign and the next thing you’re being strip searched … is unbelievable that
OU President David Boren announced the spring OU Commencement speaker during an on-campus press conference Wednesday in Gaylord Hall. Brown University President Ruth Simmons w ill deliver the ceremony’s keynote address at 7 p.m. May 11 at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, RUTH Boren said. S i m m o n s SIMMONS is the first black woman to head an Ivy League institution, Boren said. “She has been a leader in … discussions not only about leadership in our education, but about the role of race in our society,” Boren said. “She has spoken often to congressional committees at the White House and several forums. She is a truly outstanding women in every respect.” Simmons is the greatgranddaughter of slaves and grew up on a farm in Texas as the youngest of 12 children, according to a press release. “She overcame adversity and economic hardship to achieve academic excellence and personal success,” Boren said. “Her character and personal integrity make President Simmons an outstanding role model for our students.” Simmons graduated from Dillard University in New Orleans in 1967 and went on to Harvard University, where she earned a doctorate in Romance languages and literature in 1973, according to the release. Simmons continued to serve as associate dean for
SEE COURT PAGE A3
SEE IVY PAGE A3
ASTRUD REED/THE DAILY
Mark Shields, zoology graduate student, looks for seasonal vegetation changes in Oliver’s Woods Ecological Laboratory and Natural Area on Tuesday afternoon
Sooners explore Oliver’s Woods Students make use of university property for research, environmental awareness PAIGHTEN HARKINS
of the highest elms and oaks, to the ends of the wild, uncut and The woods look like any other unrestrained grasses that cover overgrown, natural forest. the forest floor. The air is alive They’re covered in green with birds’ songs and fluttering from the tops of the canopies insects.
Campus Reporter
Nine years ago, the woods were so unkempt that no one dared to tame them. Now, despite their feral state, small dirt footpaths crisscross the 60 to 70 acre woods. Along those trails, select trees are marked with a distinct blue
GLOSSARY Definitions Phenology: the study of the timing of natural events Entomology: the branch of zoology that deals with insects
SEE WOODS PAGE A2
U.S. SUPREME COURT
Some court rulings eroding liberty, Boren says Condemns Citizens United v. FEC, Florence v. County of Burlington CHRIS MILLER Assistant Campus Editor
OU President David Boren called two recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions reprehensible during an on-campus press conference
Wednesday. The court’s April 2 Florence v. County of Burlington decision, coupled with its 2010 Citizens U n i t e d v. F e d e r a l E l e c t i o n Commission decision, constitute threats to the integrity of the U.S. election process and citizens’ privacy and personal liberty, Boren said. The court ruled in a 5-to-4
Florence decision that officials may strip-search people arrested for any offense, however minor. The decision is one of the most alarming Boren has seen in his adult life, he said during the conference in Gaylord Hall’s Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation Auditorium. The decision starts the U.S. down a slippery slope toward the denial
SPORTS VOL. 97, NO. 136 © 2012 OU Publications Board FREE — Additional copies 25 cents Campus ........................ Classifieds .................. Life & Arts ................... Opinion ...................... Sports .........................
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The Daily’s open record requests
Future Sooner following path of current standout
Requested document and purpose
High school All-American Nicole Kornet decides on OU after dramatic recruitment . (Page B1)
LIFE & ARTS
Boren addresses student Historical play boring, but ‘solid’ production journalists Wednesday OU President David Boren announced this year’s commencement speaker and more. (Multimedia)
“They Promised Her the Moon” lacks an exciting plot line, but the acting and technical aspects are strong. (Page B7)
Date requested
OU’s most recent contract with WeCar — To learn how much the university pays for the service.
April 5
The number of clients the University Counseling Center serves by month from fall 2008 to present — To search for trends in student use, especially during the months leading up to finals week.
Sunday
Meal plan costs for students living in the athletic dorms from 2002 to 2012 — To compare the cost of meal plans for students living at other on-campus housing options.
Monday
All records pertaining to the budget for fiscal year 2013 — To look into expected cuts and allocations.
Wednesday
MELODIE LETTKEMAN/THE DAILY
Dexter Ford, music composition senior, (left) and bandmate Jonathon Curtin, a student at Oklahoma City Community College, hand out fliers to promote their band Wednesday on the South Oval. (For more, see page A7)
Visit OUDaily.com/openrecords for a complete list of The Daily’s requests